Brewers Sign Shortstop Bobby Crosby To Minor League Deal

You can never have too many shortstops, and the Brewers will have one more able-bodied defender in camp this spring after signing former A's shortstop Bobby Crosby to a minor league deal today. Crosby is 33 and was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2004, but hasn't played in the majors since 2010 and hit just .220/.294/.298 that season.

Crosby's deal will reportedly pay him $800,000 if he makes the roster, and gives him a chance to earn around $450,000 in incentives. In that regard, it's somewhat similar to the deal the Brewers gave Cesar Izturis around this time last year.

Crosby and Izturis are also likely similar players for this team. Doug Melvin told Tom Haudricourt Crosby will get a chance to make the team as a backup infielder based on his ability to play second, third and shortstop after impressing three Brewer scouts at a recent workout. At that link Haudricourt also notes that Crosby shares an agent with recent Brewer comeback players Gabe Kapler and Jim Edmonds.

Assuming Jean Segura makes the team as the primary shortstop out of camp, then Crosby would probably have to beat out Jeff Bianchi and Donnie Murphy to earn the last spot on the roster. Either way, he's likely to be solid minor league depth on the infield.